Abstract: Described is a system and method for providing differentiated service levels. The method comprising receiving a packet stream including a plurality of packets. A level of service to be provided to the packet stream is determined. An impairment to the packet stream is determined as a function of the level of service. The impaired packet stream is outputted.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for providing differentiated service levels. The method comprising receiving a packet stream including a plurality of packets. A level of service to be provided to the packet stream is determined. An impairment to the packet stream is determined as a function of the level of service. The impaired packet stream is outputted.

Abstract: A system of Quality of Service signaling in an IP cable telephony system includes encrypting Quality of Service signals and sending them, instead of directly from an Internet Protocol Digital Terminal to a Cable Modem Termination System, indirectly via Broadband Telephony Interface serving a telephony device. The Broadband Telephony Interface, which lacks the encryption and decryption keys, includes the encrypted Quality of Service signaling message in a signaling message it transmits to the Cable Modem Termination System when requesting a change in access to network resources. The Cable Modem Termination System attempts to decrypt the Quality of Service signaling message; and it controls access to network resources in accordance with the contents of the Quality of Service signaling message if it is able to decrypt it. This system reduces the number of signaling messages and network resources needed for call processing while providing security against denial-of-service attacks.

Abstract: A method for reducing latency of VoIP communications while efficiently using network resources and maintaining voice quality. This is achieved by managing packet size on a per-call basis, using factors such as distance between gateways, current backbone network status, service requested or access mechanism for a given call is disclosed. Packet size is selected on a per-call basis based on the distance between endpoints in the call. If the endpoints are far apart, the selected packet size is small. If the endpoints are close together, the selected packet size is large.

Abstract: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls received in a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) network (12) maintained by a provider of HFC VoIP telephony services are advantageously translated into a Time-Division Multiplex (TDM) format by an Internet Protocol Device Terminal (IPDT) (26) in the HFC network. Once translated into a TDM format, the call passes to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) (28) for call processing to afford the call features subscribed to by the called party, such as caller-ID and call waiting. Once processed, the PSTN routes the call to the destination. Likewise, a call destined for an HFC VoIP customer can be processed within the PSTN to afford the call features subscribed to by the HFC VoIP customer. In this way, the HFC VoIP telephony service can offer full-featured VoIP cable telephony without the need to perform call processing in its own network.

Abstract: A controller of a communications network enables endpoints or multiple networks to intercommunicate using multiple types of bearer format (IP, TDM, ATM, Frame Relay, etc.), and enables a bearer format conversion when necessary to carry bearer channel information across an interface of the network. The network may be packet-based or circuit-based and may include gateways and associated controllers which work in tandem to transfer format conversion parameters between endpoints or networks. The format control parameters are exchanged between various controllers, i.e., call control elements, to determine the appropriate format to forward the bearer channel information across the interface and to instruct the associated gateway of the required format conversion. The determination of the necessary format conversions may occur on a call-by-call basis, or by periodically detecting and storing format conversions associated with the various endpoints and intercommunicating networks.

Abstract: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls received in a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) network (12) maintained by a provider of HFC VoIP telephony services are advantageously translated into a Time-Division Multiplex (TDM) format by an Internet Protocol Device Terminal (IPDT) (26) in the HFC network. Once translated into a TDM format, the call passes to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) (28) for call processing to afford the call features subscribed to by the called party, such as caller-ID and call waiting. Once processed, the PSTN routes the call to the destination. Likewise, a call destined for an HFC VoIP customer can be processed within the PSTN to afford the call features subscribed to by the HFC VoIP customer. In this way, the HFC VoIP telephony service can offer full-featured VoIP cable telephony without the need to perform call processing in its own network.

Abstract: A system of Quality of Service signaling in an IP cable telephony system includes encrypting Quality of Service signals and sending them, instead of directly from an Internet Protocol Digital Terminal to a Cable Modem Termination System, indirectly via Broadband Telephony Interface serving a telephony device. The Broadband Telephony Interface, which lacks the encryption and decryption keys, includes the encrypted Quality of Service signaling message in a signaling message it transits to the Cable Modem Termination System when requesting a change in access to network resources. The Cable Modem Termination System attempts to decrypt the Quality of Service signaling message; and it controls access to network resources in accordance with the contents of the Quality of Service signaling message if it is able to decrypt it. This system reduces the number of signaling messages and network resources needed for call processing while providing security against denial-of-service attacks.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the use of an Intelligent Peripheral Concentrator (IPC) in a network that enables more efficient use of intelligent peripheral (IPe) resources. In particular the present invention discloses a method of managing intelligent peripherals, where the IPC receives at least one request for an IPe service from at least one network element, determines necessary IPe resources to satisfy the request(s) and establishes at least-one connection between at least one intelligent peripheral and at least one network element based on the necessary resources.

Abstract: A controller of a communications network enables endpoints or multiple networks to intercommunicate using multiple types of bearer format (IP, TDM, ATM, Frame Relay, etc.), and enables a bearer format conversion when necessary to carry bearer channel information across an interface of the network. The network may be packet-based or circuit-based and may include gateways and associated controllers which work in tandem to transfer format conversion parameters between endpoints or networks. The format control parameters are exchanged between various controllers, i.e., call control elements, to determine the appropriate format to forward the bearer channel information across the interface and to instruct the associated gateway of the required format conversion. The determination of the necessary format conversions may occur on a call-by-call basis, or by periodically detecting and storing format conversions associated with the various endpoints and intercommunicating networks.

Abstract: A controller of a communications network enables endpoints or multiple networks to intercommunicate using multiple types of bearer format (IP, TDM, ATM, Frame Relay, etc.), and enables a bearer format conversion when necessary to carry bearer channel information across an interface of the network. The network may be packet-based or circuit-based and may include gateways and associated controllers which work in tandem to transfer format conversion parameters between endpoints or networks. The format control parameters are exchanged between various controllers, i.e., call control elements, to determine the appropriate format to forward the bearer channel information across the interface and to instruct the associated gateway of the required format conversion. The determination of the necessary format conversions may occur on a call-by-call basis, or by periodically detecting and storing format conversions associated with the various endpoints and intercommunicating networks.

Abstract: A method for reducing latency of VoIP communications while efficiently using network resources and maintaining voice quality. This is achieved by managing packet size on a per-call basis, using factors such as distance between gateways, current backbone network status, service requested or access mechanism for a given call is disclosed. Packet size is selected on a per-call basis based on the distance between endpoints in the call. If the endpoints are far apart, the selected packet size is small. If the endpoints are close together, the selected packet size is large.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for setting up an IP session from a first node, across a network that uses direct virtual path routing, to a second node. The first node receives a request to set up the session. The second node is identified as the destination of the session, based on the request. A first stack of labels is obtained that defines a first path. A second stack of labels is obtained that defines a second path. A first label identifier is selected that identifies the session in a first direction. A second label identifier is selected that identifies the session in a second direction. Finally the data is transmitted from the first node to the second node and from the second node to the first node using the first stack and second stack of labels and label identifiers, respectively.

Abstract: A system of Quality of Service signaling in an IP cable telephony system includes encrypting Quality of Service signals and sending them, instead of directly from an Internet Protocol Digital Terminal to a Cable Modem Termination System, indirectly via Broadband Telephony Interface serving a telephony device. The Broadband Telephony Interface, which lacks the encryption and decryption keys, includes the encrypted Quality of Service signaling message in a signaling message it transmits to the Cable Modem Termination System when requesting a change in access to network resources. The Cable Modem Termination System attempts to decrypt the Quality of Service signaling message; and it controls access to network resources in accordance with the contents of the Quality of Service signaling message if it is able to decrypt it. This system reduces the number of signaling messages and network resources needed for call processing while providing security against denial-of-service attacks.

Abstract: The problems associated with prior solutions for implementing ATM or IP/MPLS in a large-scale network are overcome by providing an efficient means by which capacity in the network is more fully shared without adversely affecting call or session setup latency, and at the same time simplifying network operations. This is achieved by performing the functions of route setup, route allocation, and capacity management in a network at the edges (e.g., the interfaces existing between each ATM switch or IP/MPLS router and customers) of the network. In accordance with the principles disclosed herein, the edges contain nodes that form the interface between the ATM switches and IP/MPLS routers and the link(s) that interconnect them and the outside world. These nodes comprise controllers and other apparatus that in some cases may be incorporated in, or connected as adjuncts to, the ATM switches or IP/MPLS routers.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for the use of an Intelligent Peripheral Concentrator (IPC) in a network that enables more efficient use of Ipe resources. In a first embodiment the IPC receives at least one request from at least one network element, determines necessary resources according to the request(s) and establishes a connection with an intelligent peripheral based on the necessary resources. A second embodiment is a concentrator for connecting intelligent peripherals to a network, having a connection point for connecting an intelligent peripheral, a connection point for connecting to a network and a switch for directing information from the network to the intelligent peripheral. A third embodiment is a system for utilizing intelligent peripherals having a device connected to a first switch, the first switch connected to a second switch, an intelligent peripheral concentrator connected to the first switch and the intelligent peripheral connected to the intelligent peripheral concentrator.

Abstract: A method for reducing latency of VoIP communications while efficiently using network resources and maintaining voice quality. This is achieved by managing packet size on a per-call basis, using factors such as distance between gateways, current backbone network status, service requested or access mechanism for a given call is disclosed. Packet size is selected on a per-call basis based on the distance between endpoints in the call. If the endpoints are far apart, the selected packet size is small. If the endpoints are close together, the selected packet size is large.

Abstract: A transaction-based routing system applies particular routing procedures wherein one example uses Global Title Translation (“GTT”) techniques for a connection-oriented packet network. The network comprises a plurality of nodes including intermediate and edge nodes. Initially, intermediate nodes in the network receive data messages including originating node identifiers and first translation requests from originating edge nodes and route these messages, based on the first translation requests, over selected network routing paths to destination edge nodes. In response, intermediate nodes receive response data messages including the originating node identifiers and second translation requests from destination edge nodes and route these response messages, based on the second translation requests, over selected network routing paths to the originating nodes. These routing procedures help reduce the complexity of logical connectivity in the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transmitting a data signal across an intermediate network. The intermediate network receives a compression control signal associated with the data signal that provides information about the compression format of the data signal. The intermediate network uses this information to determine whether and where to transcode the data signal within the intermediate network. The data signal is then transmitted across the intermediate network, and transcoded as determined.

Abstract: A method is provided for setting up a communication from a first edge node, across a network that uses direct virtual path routing, to a second edge node. The first edge node receives a request to set up the communication. The second edge node is identified as the destination of the communication, based on the request. A first virtual path identifier (VPI) is obtained that defines a first path from the first edge node across the network to the second edge node. A second VPI is obtained that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node. The first and second VPIs are selected by a routing status database. A first virtual channel identifier (VCI) within the first VPI is selected. A second virtual channel identifier (VCI) within the second VPI is selected. Data is transmitted from the first edge node to the second edge node using the first VPI and first VCI, and from the second edge node to the first edge node using the second VPI and second VCI.